instill

1 of 2

verb

in·​still in-ˈstil 

instilled; instilling; instills

transitive verb

1

: to impart gradually

instilling a love of learning in children

2

: to cause to enter drop by drop

instill medication into the infected eye

instillation

ˌin(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən 

-(ˌ)sti-

noun

instiller

in-ˈsti-lər 

noun

instillment

in-ˈstil-mənt 

noun

instillment

2 of 2

noun

in·​still·​ment

variants or less commonly instilment

-lmənt

plural -s

: instillation sense 1

Synonyms of instill

Verb

• plant
• breed
• inculcate
• embed
• root

Choose the Right Synonym for instill

implant, inculcate, instill, inseminate, infix mean to introduce into the mind.

implant implies teaching that makes for permanence of what is taught.

implanted a love of reading in her students

inculcate implies persistent or repeated efforts to impress on the mind.

tried to inculcate in him high moral standards

instill stresses gradual, gentle imparting of knowledge over a long period of time.

instill traditional values in your children

inseminate applies to a sowing of ideas in many minds so that they spread through a class or nation.

inseminated an unquestioning faith in technology

infix stresses firmly inculcating a habit of thought.

infixed a chronic cynicism

Examples of instill in a Sentence

Verb

a charismatic leader who instilled in his followers a passionate commitment to the cause

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

There is little doubt that having his father as a coach helped shape the way Brunson carried himself on and off the court, instilling a sense of discipline and composure that are the hallmarks of his leadership. — Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Studies on the psychology of saving have found attaching tangible milestones to financial planning, such as a goal to buy a home, tend to instill better savings habits in young people. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 30 June 2026

In the spirit of resourcefulness that Wilson instilled in many of us, Wassmann’s Disco Vision series incorporates upcycled LaserDiscs, a pre-DVD film format discontinued in the early aughts, as diffusers. — Adrian Madlener, Curbed, 27 June 2026

Steve instilled a sense of confidence in Holden, simply by believing in the young man. — Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin instillare, from in- + stillare to drip, from stilla drop

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for instill

• anthill
• backfill
• bluegill
• crossbill
• distil
• distill
• downhill
• dunghill
• foothill
• fulfil
• fulfill
• goodwill

Kids Definition

instill

verb

in·​still in-ˈstil 

: to gradually cause to feel or have

instill a love of music

instillation

ˌin(t)-stə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

instiller noun

Medical Definition

instill

transitive verb

in·​still in-ˈstil 

instilled; instilling

: to cause to enter especially drop by drop

instill medication into the infected eye